rural design project

exclusive images 16 jan 2006

Rural Design architects, based on the Isle of Skye today revealed images of one of the most striking houses recently planned for the Scottish Highlands. The 500m2 house on the edge of Loch Maree in Rosshire in the North West Highlands replaces a former foresters cottage. Set within a mature woodland setting, with views from the site directly towards Slioch, one of the best known mountains in Scotland, the house has been designed to embrace the spectacular scenery.



images © rural design architecture and landscape, scotland

All occupied spaces within the house have a direct connection to the outside and to the landscape beyond, this transparency is reflected by the layering of the facade comprised of vertical timber screens, glass balustrades and timber sliding windows. The angled facade reaches towards the landscape and also maximises the benefits of solar gain within the house.

To the west, the house is sheltered by a zinc roof, which appears to lean against the house, this creates the main entrance volume, and directs light into the heart of the plan. The main roof is planned to be a sedum blanket, a greywater system will harvest all roof water for use in the house.

Using the contours of the site the external spaces terrace down towards the loch, the decks mask the junction of the house and the ground, which appears to float over the landscape. Balanced between the south wing of the house and the massive concrete wall which projects out of the house, towards Slioch.



Due to the amenity of the mature landscape the public spaces of the house all have ground level access to the gardens, an existing rubble wall contains this territory and marks the memory of the pre existing building.

Making visual connections from space to space is a feature of the house. From each space connections are made throughout the house. The lounge has also been designed to fill the depth of the house and windows in the west façade align with openings in the east to give through views to the lower gardens & distant landscape.
The use of timber has been a key issue in the development of the design, and it is proposed to take full advantage of timber within the structure and cladding and energy use of the house.

It is currently planned to use solid timber construction for the structure, and it is believed that this would be the first use of this system in Scotland. The building will be clad in a range of materials, primarily timber cladding (shingles and board on board), timber screens, glass and render. A system of combined heat and power is proposed for the energy use of the house, ideally using locally sourced timber.

The house although formal in nature has taken its clues from the context and we hope makes a modest contribution to the debate on making housing in rural locations.

rural design are based on the Isle of Skye, and have established a practice specialising in the design of buildings and landscapes in the rural landscape of scotland. Wooden House has been featured in numerous magazines since featuring on ths site.



Scottish Architecture

Highland Houses
Elgol House (aka the wall house with apologies to John Hejduk)


This single storey holiday house sits on an unusually flat site
overlooking a wild flower meadow that is populated by Deer during the
evening.

The house is simply planned, kitchen, bathrooms, utility and entrance
lobby are accommodated in a thick wall facing north, the occupied
spaces all face south, connected by a simple top lit circulation route.
Every effort is being made to minimise disruption between inside and
out, floor to ceiling glazed openings maximise solar gain during the
day, and will dissappear during the evening reinforcing the
connection to outside.

Traditionally constructed including the re-use of stone already on
the site, completion is targetted for february 2006.

New Houses

Bosville Terrace


images © rural design architecture and landscape, scotland
Part of a study into the options available to alter and extend a 1
1/2 storey croft house overlooking Portree Harbour in Skye.
An awkward triangular site, has created an unusual form which
maximises aspect and views over the harbour, the extension is raised
above the existing ground floor level to create additional privacy
within the new living space. The new form will be constructed from
traditional materials, including locally sourced oak.
Completion 2006



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Modern Architects

Another Highlands House is in Perth by Mark Walker Architects

Buildings / photos for the Highlands Housing pages welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Loch Maree House Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt